Sermons about Animal Ministry
Sermon #1
Originally presented July 16, 2006 at Prairie Unitarian Universalist Church, Parker, CO by Guest Speaker Nancy Cronk, Animal Chaplain. (I am willing to present this sermon to any congregation or non-profit organization in exchange for full travel expenses, and to veterinary clinics and professional associations for an honoraria.)
Thank-you for allowing me to speak about something that is very close to my heart. In my work as an Interfaith Chaplain, I have developed a specialized ministry called "Interfaith Animal Chaplains”. My partners in this growing field are scattered all over the United States. Locally, they are Reverend S. Tucker and Reverend Lynne Tucker of the Oasis Center for Spiritual Living in Centennial, CO. The Oasis Center is one of a few congregations nation-wide that welcomes well-behaved dogs to their weekly Sunday services. There are times when I mention the field of Animal Ministry to others, and it evokes a laugh, since "ministry" means something different to each person. I am sure some people picture dogs lined up for communion, cats in prayer shawls bowing and swaying as they chant, and guinea pigs sitting in the lotus position for hours of silent meditation. I enjoy these images, and the laughter that follows, as much as anyone. However, my Animal Ministry isn’t about that at all. Being the caretaker of the earth's creatures is a responsibility that we all share, as mentioned in all of the major faiths of our world. Providing support to others in fulfilling that sacred role, is the responsibility of those who answer a call to Animal Ministry. Although we may also minister to the needs of animals, encouraging and supporting other humans to honor and value their sacred relationship with animals, is the role of the animal chaplain. Animal Ministry is about people, and the remarkable, spiritual and unique relationships we have with animals. However, you wouldn’t know it by the general public's behavior in American culture. Although the Eastern traditions, the indigenous traditions and the mystical traditions are quite comfortable discussing the spiritual nature of our relationship with animals, American-European western culture is not. Rarely does our culture speak of spirituality and animals in the same breath. In our culture, we are taught to eat animals, to wear animal skins, and to use animals for work, with little thought to what the animals have sacrificed for us. We refer to other people as “animals” in a derogatory manner. Publicly, our culture emphasizes their practical uses, while demeaning them for their natural limitations. We blame them for passing on diseases, and we hunt them to keep their numbers “under control”. We turn our backs to millions of animals who are euthanized in this country every year due to overpopulation – a tragedy that could so easily be prevented with a shared commitment to spaying and neutering, when appropriate. We see animals as property, rather than as separate beings who deserve the good things in life we want for ourselves. But in the private sphere, our relationship with the animals we take into our homes and hearts, is exalted and perhaps even, Divine. I would like to ask how many people here have animals living with them at their home. (Show of hands.) For some reason, the animals we take into our homes are treated differently than the animals that are not. The animals in our homes become part of our family. Why?We live in a time when most of us cannot imagine our lives without at least one companion animal. Animals are our connection to the physical universe and to nature in a way we desperately need. In the last one hundred years, we have mastered the cycle of light and dark by mass-producing light bulbs, we have conquered the cycles of the seasons by making heating and cooling readily available and we have specialized our careers so much that few of us grow anything we eat day after day. We have made it possible to live for weeks, or months, or even years, without ever having to touch, experience, respect and enjoy nature. That is one reason we desperately need animals in our everyday lives. Animals teach us so many things: to love unconditionally, to care about others rather than our possessions, to remember to be playful in life, and to to snuggle with those we love as much as possible. They do not discriminate against others based on race, gender, religious affiliation, national identity, or sexual orientation. They allow us to see things the way they do -- with curiosity and enthusiasm, and to wake up knowing that each day is a new adventure. They remind us to take a walk and enjoy the sunshine from time to time, and to trust that the world will provide everything we need. They remind us with their wagging tail, their joyful whinnying, or their delicious purring, “Don’t worry. Be happy”. Nor are we the first and only culture to feel such a strong attachment to our animal companions. People have brought animals into their homes and into their hearts since the beginning of recorded history. Temples were built for them, statues have been carved for them, and tombs were filled with treasures for their after-life. Today, we hear of people leaving their entire estates to their cats in their wills. A middle class family I know recently spent $1300 for veterinary care for their pet bunny. Another family I know is desperately trying to save their dog’s life with homeopathy, acupuncture, doggie-yoga and an organic diet. If you go into any Petsmart or Petco, you will find animal clothing, animal jewelry, animal toiletries, animal photo albums, animal diapers, gourmet pet food, videos to keep your animal entertained while you are away, and the one thing I will never understand, animal strollers. (Isn’t the whole idea of taking your dog for a walk that you will both get some exercise...? But I digress.) The more disconnected we seem to become from the natural cycles of life, the more we seem to pamper our pooches, cradle our cats, and fuss over our ferrets. Our pets, or companion animals, as it has become more politically correct to say, allow us to be ourselves, to let our hair down. We confide in them, and they do not judge us. They love us unconditionally. They are as much a part of our families as our husbands and wives, our parents and our children. They are fiercely loyal, and they will do anything for us in their power. From time to time, we hear of animals rescuing their people from burning buildings, approaching cars, and speeding bullets. They make it possible for people who cannot see or hear to live alone safely. One dog even learned to call 911 and saved someone’s life during a heart attack. I could sit for hours (in fact I have) and watch “Those Amazing Animals” on “The Animal Planet” channel. Apparently, I am not the only one, as the pet food industry has figured out. Because of our intense love and devotion for our pets, when they pass, there is a great deal of grief. We feel it in our bones, and we feel it with full intensity. The heart knows no difference between the loss of a human and the loss of an animal. To our hearts, there is only pain – pain caused by losing someone we love deeply and unreservedly. We tell our close friends and family about our loss and they usually say some kind words. We shrug it off and say things like, “I know he was just a horse, but it is really sad. I hated to say good-bye”. At times, the depth of our pain is so real, so intense, and so raw, we are embarrassed. In the public sphere, bereavement and mourning are reserved for losing humans, not for our pets. We do not get "paid animal bereavement days" at work. No one would understand if we missed a business trip because our cat was dying. In the public sphere, we are not allowed to grieve in a normal, healthful way. We are left feeling alone, managing our pain privately.That is where Interfaith Animal Chaplains come in. Interfaith Animal Chaplains are people who have some experience in compassion, counseling and grief management, and who understand first-hand what it feels like to lose a beloved pet. We listen to people’s grief over the phone, and we sometimes come to their homes. We hold hands through euthanasia, we give final blessings for the dying, and we offer memorial services for the living. I have partnered with Parker Funeral Chapel where the owners, who are also animal lovers, offer their chapel for animal memorial services from time to time. (A funny side note: When I first set up my website, I wrote that I can be there at the time of cremation. Since the spell checker didn’t know the word “cremation”, it was changed to “creation”, as in “I can be there at the time of creation”. When someone inquired about it, I laughed, knowing there are probably blessings even for that, and that sooner or later, some specialty breeder will probably call me to do a “creation service”.)Our services are invaluable for the elderly, for whom their pet may be their only living family member, and for homes with young children. Children often ask us, “Do animals go to Heaven?” Knowing how thoroughly traumatized some children have become by some more traditional religious answers, we ask with an open mind and a loving heart, “What do you think happens?” For most people, that opens the door for expressing and examining their own feelings, and their own beliefs. Occasionally, I am pressed for a solid answer. “Do animals go to Heaven when they die, or do they not?” I was first posed this question years ago by a friend, a mother in a family of five boys. Apparently, their beloved and playful bull terrier had passed, and when they went to their parish Priest, the Priest told them that animals cannot go to Heaven, because they have no "soul". Hearing this, the children went home inconsolable. When their Mom called me to share her frustration and upset about the situation, it inspired me to do some research. Sure enough, there are many different opinions on this, and no faith that I read about claims to know unquestionably what happens when animals die. It seems that the Christian Bible indicates to many readers that only people have souls, and souls go to heaven, so therefore, animals do not go to Heaven. “Not so fast!” some religious scholars have shouted. It seems that in Hebrew, the original language of the Hebrew scriptures, there are four different levels of the soul. Since Latin and English do not recognize four distinct ways to characterize the soul, they were all jumbled up into one descriptive word when the texts were translated from one language to another. And in those earlier texts, sure enough, it is said numerous times, animals are living creatures who have a “soul”. "And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to every creeper on the earth which has in it a living soul..." Genesis 1:30So, I went back to my friend with the brooding bunch of boys, and I told her that although I am not a religious scholar, I believe some Priests would respectfully disagree with her Priest. Apparently, the question of whether or not animals have a soul is still under debate, even within the same faith, and sometimes between clergy of the same congregations. Then I told her, “What really is important, is, “What do your boys believe?” Of course, they had made up their own minds anyway, she told me. One of her younger boys said, “We learned that Heaven is a perfect place with everything we need and everything we want. What I want and what I need is our dog Elliot. Heaven would not be heaven, unless Elliot is there, so of course Elliot will be in Heaven.” A few years later, the father of these five boys was tragically killed in a raging river accident while on a fishing trip. It gave me comfort to think these spiritually-minded boys might picture their dog jumping up and down and welcoming their Dad to Heaven with a wet lick on his face, keeping him company until the family can be united again. I recall another conversation with a group of preschoolers in a car pool who were arguing about "hamster Heaven". One of the children recently lost his hamster, and was reassured when his Mother told him Buddy went to hamster Heaven. The other children, Jewish and Christian together, with no previous exposure to eastern religions or eastern philosophy, argued with him. The most precocious of them said, "You are born a baby, then you get old and die. Then it is your turn to get born a baby again. There isn't enough time to go to Heaven." The other children agreed. When I asked them how they knew this, one of them said quite matter-of-factly, "I used to be a Dad."As an Interfaith Animal Chaplain, I am not interested in sharing my views on what happens to animals when they die, and I truthfully cannot say which answers are right and which are wrong. I am the first to admit I am not a religious scholar. It is my job to comfort, not to judge. I am happy to share what Christians believe, what Jews believe, what Buddhists believe, what Hindus believe, what Humanists believe, and what Atheists believe happens, if that knowledge comforts the bereaved. What I am interested in is, "What does the animal's caregiver believe?" I think we each can find answers to divine questions if we look deeply within our own hearts and ask for guidance there. Although our answers may differ from the answers others have found, they are our own, and they will comfort us. There is only one religious truth I can confidently assert: our relationships with our companion animals is both emotional and spiritual, so that they never really end, wherever our bodies and souls go after death. I encourage adults to be like children, and to "trust their gut" on these issues. We have much to learn from children about our relationship with animals, and so much to learn from animals about ourselves. Young children and animals, in my opinion, are in touch with a spiritual realm in a way that adults are sometimes unable. Both animals and young children turn to their hearts, instead of to their heads, when deciding what seems right to them. They "wear their hearts on their sleeves"; their public sphere and their private sphere are one and the same. They are not afraid to love deeply, and to sometimes grieve inconsolably, so that they may love deeply again. More than one sacred text, and more than one world religion, tells us to follow our hearts, to return to the innocence of children, and to look within ourselves for the big answers of life. And when we do, we can find our own spiritual truths, and we will be joined again with those we love, both humans and animals.I see the field of Animal Ministry in its infancy and I look forward to a day when all people eagerly take on the spiritual responsibility of being caretakers for the creatures of the earth -- one that is spoken of in all of the great religions, and affirmed deep within our hearts. Working with individuals and families, and the animals they love, is an honor and a privilege. I hope that I am able to give back to others what I have so richly received in my work. Being present to witness unrestricted, unconditional love between souls in different bodily forms, is to me, more precious than being in the most beautiful chapel or holy site anywhere on earth. For the space of love is a Temple... the Temple of the Heart. ♥Sermon #2
Do our Pets go to Heaven?
Contributed by: Barry Meyer on 6/15/2007 (see biographical sketch at the end of this sermon).
Last week my wife and I brought our 13-year-old golden retriever to the vet to be "put down." Baker had been a faithful companion, but arthritis and old age had taken its toll. He was likely in daily pain from arthritic front legs and his rear legs bowed out oddly due to damaged ACL's. He had become nearly deaf and his immobility had limited his ability to climb and descend stairs, a necessity to enter or leave our home. As the vet said, "He is fine from the neck up, but below the neck, well ...." So we made the difficult decision to end his life sooner rather than later.
His final day was decidedly odd. We knew it was his last day on earth, but did he? We had an appointment for 2 pm and it seemed strange to be able to know exactly when he was going to die. His final hour was spent eating dog biscuits and even a jar of baby food while he gradually relaxed due to the tranquilizer administered by the vet. Finally after about 20 minutes of being petted and spoiled, a dose of Phenobarbital stopped his heart. Baker died at 2:30 pm on June 12, 2007.
Baker had been given to my wife, René, as a housewarming gift - three years before she and I were married; so he had been an integral part of our lives, especially for her. He had survived the ordeal of combining households, of coping with my kids, of adjusting to a new home and the addition of a second dog, Einstein, seven years ago. He did it all in his own style. He could be a bit aloof, even stubborn. On walks, he chose the direction we would go and he was determined to stop at every tree along the way to check for new scents. Yet, he was a beautiful, even regal dog. He would lie in the sun, like a male lion, surveying his domain. He was definitely the alpha dog, even as he became more infirm. At times he even seemed to think he was in charge of us too. But most importantly, he, like so many dogs, was loyal. I doubt that running away ever crossed his mind and his affection for both of us, but especially René was unconditional. And so Baker will be missed.
As humans, we exercise our dominion over animals by making life and death decisions for them. It seems only natural, yet the death of a dear pet seems much more significant than the slaughter of a cow or a squirrel killed on the roadway. Why is that? Is it because we have come to "know" our pets, to have learned that they have personalities, to have gained from them? Animal experts tell us that animals do have personalities, that they can be happy and sad and that they experience many of the same feelings we do, sometimes even more intensely. Jeffery Masson wrote a best seller on the topic entitled, Dogs Never Lie about Love. A psychoanalyst, Masson reflects on the emotions experienced by dogs from gratitude and compassion to disappointment and sadness. He even speculates about their dreams. His writing has struck a note with at least many dog lovers.
My wife and I are religious people. We believe God created all things in some miraculous, mysterious way. He created both of us as well as our dogs. Christians, like us, have always maintained that humans are made "in the image of God." Could it be then, that our pets too reflect at least a portion of God's image? Dogs are known for their undying and unconditional loyalty. Are our pets, especially dogs, perhaps then a gift from God to teach us about "true" loyalty? Certainly, Baker enriched our lives and we experienced true sorrow when he died. Virtually anyone who has had a pet and seen it die will testify to this fact. Pets can play an important role in our lives and their absence leaves a hole.
So where is Baker now? Most would probably simply say, "Nowhere." "He's gone, he's dead, he's an animal - a beast, when they die, it's over." Yet, many would also say that when humans die, something continues. The spirit or soul of a person lives forever. Christians believe that when humans die, they go to heaven or hell. But do animals do the same? As Baker slowly faded, the vet noted that Baker had a "good soul." I'm not sure if she meant that literally, but it made me think. Did Baker have a soul? If in some way he reflected God, does that reflection continue in some mysterious way?
Despite the seeming centrality of heaven and hell in Christian thought, Christians, like most everyone else, are pretty fuzzy on the details of the afterlife. Images of harps and pearly gates or angels or people with wings come to mind, but in truth most of us have very little understanding of what we sense is the destiny of all of us. My wife and I believe God created it all and he created it good - without blemish. Yet, evil entered, corrupted much of it and today we see a mix. We have no problem discerning the evil and yet we still have many, many images and examples of the good and the beauty of the creation.
Some Christians though, have a much more concrete image of at least heaven and we find ourselves in this camp. We believe that God is going to restore his creation, this earth, and that restored creation will be the heaven of the future. And that creation will again be perfect and complete as God originally created it and like the original Garden of Eden, it will have animals. The Bible itself suggests this notion in Job 12, speaking of the "... souls of all living things ..." and important Christians thinkers like John Wesley and John Calvin spoke and wrote often about the restoration of the creation. C.S. Lewis, one of the most influential Christians of the 20 th century reputedly believed pets would be found in heaven. He certainly recognized an important place for animals as evidenced in many of his writings for children which were the basis for the recent movie Narnia. These men and many others saw (and see) heaven then as far more than a place "somewhere up there in the clouds." Evan Masson, a non-religious person, grudgingly suggests that dogs possess something like a soul.
So we are back to the question, is Baker in heaven? I don't know. Yet, I believe that our pets are part of a larger picture that this point I can only see dimly. I believe a restored creation will include animals, and perhaps even our pets. Will every animal that ever lived be in this "new earth?" It hardly seems possible. Yet, as they say, stranger things have happened! Someday, hopefully, our knowledge will be complete.
Barry Meyer has taught science at Denver Christian since 1985. He has also coached football for the past 13 years. Prior to 1985, he lived for 10 years in Africa teaching and working with the Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. He is a graduate of Calvin College (1975) and Denver Christian (1971). For more writings by this author, please go to www.denver.yourhub.com/feed.axd?cti=1&userid=21683 .
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